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ID #SA1217184
FOR SALE
£575
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A 19th Century Conch Shell Cameo Table Lamp, Carved with the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius Behind, in the Grand Tour Manner
For sale by Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
for sale €673     $730
£575
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2022
Browse dealers 150 items
  • About Us
    Kendall house antiques a traditional shop in the north cotswold’s market town of chipping campden.
Id #SA1217184
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A 19th Century Conch Shell Cameo Table Lamp, Carved with the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius Behind, in the Grand Tour Manner

19th century
Description

On its original turned ebonised base.

The lamp professionally rewired with traditional silk flex, new bulb, plug and PAT safety tested, ready to plug in and enjoy.

22 cm high overall.

Occasionally found in a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ or ‘Wunderkammer’ but also much coveted for the warm soft light they omit.

Wunderkammer: A German term that literally translates to "wonder-room" and is widely referred to in English as a "Cabinet of Curiosities", Its origins originating in 16th-century Europe. The Wunderkammer was an encyclopaedic, private collection of extraordinary, rare, and exotic objects often containing items of natural history such as the shell lamp we are selling here. The cabinets ranging in size from a small piece of furniture to an entire room.

Cypraecassis rufa: is a marine gastropod mollusc in the Cassidae family. Commonly known as the "cameo shell".

Physical Dimensions
Height
22cm (8.66")
Declaration

Kendall House Antiques Ltd. has dated this Carved Conch Shell Lamp to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1217184
Dealers Internal Reference
26797
Dealers Notes

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Shop Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Out of hours appointments can be arranged just give us a call.

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https://www.instagram.com/kendallhouseantiques/

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We offer a professional and prompt delivery service within the UK using our own van and driver.

Please contact us for delivery options, plus any shipping enquires.

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Description
On its original turned ebonised base.
“
The lamp professionally rewired with traditional silk flex, new bulb, plug and PAT safety tested, ready to plug in and enjoy.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.

22 cm high overall.

Occasionally found in a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ or ‘Wunderkammer’ but also much coveted for the warm soft light they omit.

fig 1. An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base.
fig 1. A 19th Century Conch Shell Cameo Table Lamp, Carved with the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius Behind, in the Grand Tour Manner

Wunderkammer: A German term that literally translates to "wonder-room" and is widely referred to in English as a "Cabinet of Curiosities", Its origins originating in 16th-century Europe. The Wunderkammer was an encyclopaedic, private collection of extraordinary, rare, and exotic objects often containing items of natural history such as the shell lamp we are selling here. The cabinets ranging in size from a small piece of furniture to an entire room.

Cypraecassis rufa: is a marine gastropod mollusc in the Cassidae family. Commonly known as the "cameo shell".

Height
22cm (8.66")
Date of Manufacture

Kendall House Antiques Ltd. has dated this Carved Conch Shell Lamp to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1217184
Dealers Internal Ref
26797
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2022

Kendall house antiques a traditional shop in the north cotswold’s market town of chipping campden.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Kendall House Antiques Ltd. Profile Page

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An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base.
1 / 6
Archive I An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base.

A 19th Century Conch Shell Cameo Table Lamp, Carved with the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius Behind, in the Grand Tour Manner

Archive II An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base. View II
Archive III An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base. View III
Archive IV An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base. View IV
Archive V An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base. View V
Archive VI An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07880 602715
Location
Kendall House
High Street
Chipping Campden
Gloucestershire
GL55 6AG 7
United Kingdom
Verified Since May 2022
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 461
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Kendall House Antiques Ltd.
Verified Since May 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Kendall House, High Street, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6AG 7, United Kingdom
Verified
May 2022
For Sale
150
Sold
461
An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base.
A 19th century conch shell cameo table lamp, carved with the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius behind, In the Grand Tour manner
Ref: SA1217184
An illuminated 19th-century conch shell carved in relief with a scene depicting Mount Vesuvius, mounted on a turned ebonised wood base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
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Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTable Lamps
  • Period19th century
  • StyleGrand Tour
  • MaterialConch Shell, Ebonised Wood
  • ColourWarm Pink
  • MotifsCameo relief, Turned base, Landscape carving
  • SizeH 22 cm (9 in)

This nineteenth-century table lamp is formed from a natural conch shell mounted on an ebonised wood base, created in the Grand Tour manner. The shell features a detailed cameo relief carving depicting the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius in the background, showing warm pink and white colour tones when illuminated. The lamp stands on a circular turned base with subtle ring mouldings and is fitted with a braided brown electrical flex. It measures 22 cm high overall. Suitable for placement in a study or a gentleman's library, the piece functions effectively on a sideboard top or desk to provide ambient accent lighting. The electrical components have been professionally renewed with a traditional silk flex, a new bulb and plug, and the unit is fully PAT safety tested for domestic use. It makes a distinctive decorative addition to eclectic interiors and traditional room schemes.

Popularised during the 19th century as souvenirs for travellers touring continental Europe, these lamps feature natural conch shells intricately carved in relief, frequently depicting classical scenes, landscapes, or Italian landmarks such as Mount Vesuvius.

Skilled artisans utilised the natural colour layers of multi-toned conch shells, carving through the darker outer surface to reveal lighter shades underneath, creating sculpted relief scenes that glow when illuminated from within.

Authentic pieces exhibit hand-carved tool marks, natural growth striations within the shell, fine translucent relief details when lit, and period-appropriate mountings such as turned ebonised wood bases.

Position this item on a dark wood sideboard, library desk, or alcove shelf alongside brass decorative objects or antique framed prints to emphasize its warm ambient glow and historical craft.

Dust the delicate carved surface regularly using a soft, dry microfibre cloth or small soft-bristled brush, avoiding water, chemical solvents, or abrasive cleaners that could damage the natural shell.
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